Archive: Sports

The  I.Y.H.A. Pee Wee 2 team played its last two regular season games this weekend against Oswego and Skaneateles, with a chance of locking up second place in the Blue division of the Snowbelt hockey league.

The first game involved traveling up to the cold confines of "The Fort" in Oswego, New York.  The Pee Wee 2 team skated even in a slow first period.  Both teams struggled to maintain possession of the puck in a period that saw many odd man rushes and missed scoring opportunities.

The second period started out favorably when Jack Babuka scored at the 9 minute mark, assisted by Nic Whittaker and Sean O'Neil.  The period ended with the score 1 to 0.   The third period started out well again for the Pee Wees as Ryan Bishop lit the lamp to increase the lead to 2.

The lead was not to last long however when 2 and 4 minutes later the Pirates of Oswego tallied to even the score. Another 3 minutes later at the 8 minute mark,  Oswego took the lead on a break-away 2 on 1 rush.  The Ithaca Pee Wee 2 team looked down and out when a series of penalties put the Pee Wees down two players. Jack Babuka, Nic Whittaker, and Colin McClure were sent out to kill the penalty.

An offensive miscue sent the puck into the neutral zone.  The puck was intercepted by the Pee Wee defenders, giving Nic Whittaker the chance to rifle a shot past the surprised Oswego netminder, tying the game.  In what  looked to be a tie game wasn't meant to be.  Oswego was able to capitalize on an offensive zone breakdown, and slipped a player in past the defensive line of the Pee Wees leading to a game winning goal in what was otherwise a very good effort on the part of the Pee Wee 2 team.


In the last regular game of the season, the Pee Wee 2 team hosted Skaneateles on a windy, snowy day at Cass Park.   At seven minutes into the first period, goaltender Teo Levitan-Armstrong attempted to cover up the puck when it was knocked from his glove.  In the ensuing scrum in the crease, the official signaled a penalty and penalty shot against the Pee Wee defender for covering the puck.

In what is one of the most exciting plays in hockey,  the Skaneateles player was able to make two quick moves on the Pee Wee 2 goalie for the first goal of the game.  Just two minutes later, the Pee Wees tied the score on a pass back from  center Ryan Bishop to defender Colin McClure who launched a slap shot into the Skaneateles net.  On the ensuing face-off, center Damian Valent took the puck from the official, split two defender,s and tallied another goal.

The second period was a draw for each team with neither team finding a way to get on the board.  As the puck dropped in the third period,  the momentum shifted Skaneateles way.  In the next 15 minutes of play, Skaneateles found the back of the Pee Wees net four more times.  The result was a lop-sided 5 - 2 victory over the Pee Wee 2 team.

This weekend the Pee Wee 2 team host the inaugural Mid-Winter Invitational Tournament on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at both Cass Park and The Rink.  The six team tournaments schedule can be found at www.ithacayouthhockey.com at the Tournament tab.   Admission is free and fundraising raffles include items such as Cornell hockey tickets,  a stick signed by the Boston Bruins, and a X-Box home entertainment system.

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